How Parental Expectations Contribute to Examination Pressure

How Parents’ Expectations Add to Exam Pressure

Tests are an everyday part of school life. Yet for many students, exams engender stress, anxiety, and fret. One big factor in it is the pressure from parents. Parents always wish for good academic results for their children in exams. They strive for good scores, recognition, and success in life. This wish is natural. Parents love their children and want what's best for them. But at times, their dreams become a pressure. Children feel they can’t make mistakes when parents expect perfect scores. They might not be afraid of the exam so much as they might fear their parents sounding the death knell for their “potential.” Pressure boils inside them, and it influences their education and health. Certain students lose interest in their studies. What they study is only what is required of them. This can lead to anxiety, bad sleep, and even sadness. Learning is no longer a pleasure and is only about the mark count. Every child is different. Some learn quickly, and some are a little slower. Parents comparing a child with other children may cause low confidence in the child. But instead of support, the child feels judged and alone. Parents can also play a useful role in dialing back the pressure. They can encourage the child’s process rather than the product. Speaking, listening, and understanding are essential. Fostering breaks, daily hobbies, and rest also contribute to the control of stress. In brief, parental support is valuable, but it should be weighed. High demands should not crush. A child does best with care, not fear. With the proper help, they can do well and be happy.